Ice Ice Baby

The island's best shave ice

July 21, 2009

By Melissa Chang
Special to Metromix

Shave ice may be eaten year-round in Hawaii, but somehow it tastes even better these extra-hot summer days. Those who don’t know all the shave ice spots around Oahu may think it’s indigenous to the North Shore, or may claim it's all the same — just ice and syrup. But for those of us who grew up with this icy treat, we know there’s more to it. Much more.

Everyone’s got their favorite neighborhood shave ice place and a preferred way to eat it — with azuki beans, ice cream, condensed milk, mochi balls or just plain. We went on a mission to try the offerings at some of the best shave ice places around the island, and here's what we tasted.